Llay
Encyclopedia
Llay is a village and local government community
, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales
.
It borders several other villages including Gwersyllt
and Gresford
. At the 2001 Census
, the total population of the community of Llay, including Llay village, was 4,905.
Prior to the 1960s, Llay was a coal mining
village. Llay Main Colliery, at one time the largest colliery in Wales and after 1952 the deepest pit in the UK, was a major employer for the area before its coal reserves were exhausted in 1966.
- a small settlement without a church - of the township and manor of Burton
. It later formed an outlying part of the parish of Gresford
, but the relatively late growth of the village is shown by the fact that the first church service was not held there until 1916, and its church was not completed until 1925. Llay was eventually made a separate parish in its own right in 1944.
Much of the growth of the village is connected with the development of coal mines, particularly the Llay Main Colliery. It was first established by the industrialist Sir Arthur Markham in 1913, but sinking of the shafts was interrupted by World War I
and by Markham's death in 1916. The shafts were eventually completed in 1921, and coal production started in 1923. The colliery had a reputation as a well-run, modern pit with a relatively satisfied workforce, and by the 1930s was employing more than 3000 men, 450 families being installed in new housing schemes in Llay.
in Llay called Alyn Waters Country Park, which has a sister country park in Gwersyllt of the same name. The site includes a children's play park and pathways for pedestrian
and cycle
access through the forest
. There were numerous original artworks around the park such as carved wooden animals along the paths, however many of the artworks have now been stolen or destroyed. There is a small golfing range at the park, and other sporting events take place on the large playing fields, such as football (home of Llay United Youth Football Club) and archery
.
There are four churches in the village of Llay; the Roman Catholic St. Francis of Assisi, Llay Community Church of the Nazarene, St. Martin of Tours of the Church in Wales
and the Bethel Baptist Church.
There are three drinking establishments, which are the Royal British Legion club, The Crown public house
and Llay Miners Welfare, also known as Miners Welfare Institute. Llay Legion is the largest of these offering Sports bar with 2 snooker tables, Pool table, Dart board, Lounge with small stage offering entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and the largest cabaret room in the area, easily seating over 350 guests. The Miners Welfare has bars, dancefloor with small stage and a pool hall. The Welfare had its grand opening in 1931 after negotiations in 1929 for monies to build a Miners Institute with sports facilities. The Welfare was refurbished in 2005 after receiving a grant
for the work.
There is an industrial estate in Llay, being similar in size to the whole village itself, which it includes a Sharp Electronics
factory.
Llay United Youth Football Club – Is one of the largest community groups in Llay providing football for over 220 children. The club was started back in 1980 to provide local children organised football against other local teams. Llay United most famous player is Robbie Savage who still holds the club goal scoring record.
Llay Playgroup – The play group moved from the community centre into Park CP school Llay in 2008. The playgroup offers children from the age of 2 ½ early education.
Llay Welfare Band - In the early days Llay Welfare Band was connected with Llay Main Colliery. In 1966 the colliery was closed which meant many players having to leave the area and thus the band. In 1967 the band had to be disbanded and all the instruments and equipment were given to the newly formed Point of Ayr band. In the 1980s Gresford band found themselves homeless when the N.U.M. office at Watery Road in Wrexham was closed. They were offered practice facilities at the Miners Institute in Llay. The offer was accepted and Llay Welfare band was reborn. Most of the present committee joined in 1993. The vast majority of the band are now former junior members of the training band.
Community (Wales)
A community is a division of land in Wales that forms the lowest-tier of local government in Wales. Welsh communities are analogous to civil parishes in England....
, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
It borders several other villages including Gwersyllt
Gwersyllt
Gwersyllt is an urban village and a local government community, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales....
and Gresford
Gresford
Gresford is a village and a local government community, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales.According to the 2001 Census, the population of the community, which also includes the village of Marford, was 5,334....
. At the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, the total population of the community of Llay, including Llay village, was 4,905.
Prior to the 1960s, Llay was a coal mining
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
village. Llay Main Colliery, at one time the largest colliery in Wales and after 1952 the deepest pit in the UK, was a major employer for the area before its coal reserves were exhausted in 1966.
History
Llay first appears in mediaeval records as a hamletHamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
- a small settlement without a church - of the township and manor of Burton
Burton, Wrexham
Burton is a small village in the community of Rossett in the county borough of Wrexham, Wales. The hamlet of Burton Green is a separate settlement and is located a few miles from Burton.- History :...
. It later formed an outlying part of the parish of Gresford
Gresford
Gresford is a village and a local government community, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales.According to the 2001 Census, the population of the community, which also includes the village of Marford, was 5,334....
, but the relatively late growth of the village is shown by the fact that the first church service was not held there until 1916, and its church was not completed until 1925. Llay was eventually made a separate parish in its own right in 1944.
Much of the growth of the village is connected with the development of coal mines, particularly the Llay Main Colliery. It was first established by the industrialist Sir Arthur Markham in 1913, but sinking of the shafts was interrupted by World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and by Markham's death in 1916. The shafts were eventually completed in 1921, and coal production started in 1923. The colliery had a reputation as a well-run, modern pit with a relatively satisfied workforce, and by the 1930s was employing more than 3000 men, 450 families being installed in new housing schemes in Llay.
Today
There is a country parkCountry park
A country park is an area designated for people to visit and enjoy recreation in a countryside environment.-History:In the United Kingdom the term 'Country Park' has a special meaning. There are over 400 Country Parks in England alone . Most Country Parks were designated in the 1970s, under the...
in Llay called Alyn Waters Country Park, which has a sister country park in Gwersyllt of the same name. The site includes a children's play park and pathways for pedestrian
Pedestrian
A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In some communities, those traveling using roller skates or skateboards are also considered to be pedestrians. In modern times, the term mostly refers to someone walking on a road or footpath, but this was not the case...
and cycle
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
access through the forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
. There were numerous original artworks around the park such as carved wooden animals along the paths, however many of the artworks have now been stolen or destroyed. There is a small golfing range at the park, and other sporting events take place on the large playing fields, such as football (home of Llay United Youth Football Club) and archery
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
.
There are four churches in the village of Llay; the Roman Catholic St. Francis of Assisi, Llay Community Church of the Nazarene, St. Martin of Tours of the Church in Wales
Church in Wales
The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales, composed of six dioceses.As with the primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Archbishop of Wales serves concurrently as one of the six diocesan bishops. The current archbishop is Barry Morgan, the Bishop of Llandaff.In contrast to the...
and the Bethel Baptist Church.
There are three drinking establishments, which are the Royal British Legion club, The Crown public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
and Llay Miners Welfare, also known as Miners Welfare Institute. Llay Legion is the largest of these offering Sports bar with 2 snooker tables, Pool table, Dart board, Lounge with small stage offering entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and the largest cabaret room in the area, easily seating over 350 guests. The Miners Welfare has bars, dancefloor with small stage and a pool hall. The Welfare had its grand opening in 1931 after negotiations in 1929 for monies to build a Miners Institute with sports facilities. The Welfare was refurbished in 2005 after receiving a grant
Grant (money)
Grants are funds disbursed by one party , often a Government Department, Corporation, Foundation or Trust, to a recipient, often a nonprofit entity, educational institution, business or an individual. In order to receive a grant, some form of "Grant Writing" often referred to as either a proposal...
for the work.
There is an industrial estate in Llay, being similar in size to the whole village itself, which it includes a Sharp Electronics
Sharp Corporation
is a Japanese multinational corporation that designs and manufactures electronic products. Headquartered in Abeno-ku, Osaka, Japan, Sharp employs more than 55,580 people worldwide as of June 2011. The company was founded in September 1912 and takes its name from one of its founder's first...
factory.
Community Groups
Park CP School Llay – The infant and junior schools were merged in 2008 to form Park CP School Llay which provides education for children from the age of 3 to 11.Llay United Youth Football Club – Is one of the largest community groups in Llay providing football for over 220 children. The club was started back in 1980 to provide local children organised football against other local teams. Llay United most famous player is Robbie Savage who still holds the club goal scoring record.
Llay Playgroup – The play group moved from the community centre into Park CP school Llay in 2008. The playgroup offers children from the age of 2 ½ early education.
Llay Welfare Band - In the early days Llay Welfare Band was connected with Llay Main Colliery. In 1966 the colliery was closed which meant many players having to leave the area and thus the band. In 1967 the band had to be disbanded and all the instruments and equipment were given to the newly formed Point of Ayr band. In the 1980s Gresford band found themselves homeless when the N.U.M. office at Watery Road in Wrexham was closed. They were offered practice facilities at the Miners Institute in Llay. The offer was accepted and Llay Welfare band was reborn. Most of the present committee joined in 1993. The vast majority of the band are now former junior members of the training band.
Notable residents
- Chris ArmstrongChris Armstrong (footballer born 1971)Christopher Peter "Chris" Armstrong is an English former England B international footballer who has played as a striker for Wrexham , Millwall, Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers between 1989 and 2005.-Crystal Palace:After short spells with Wrexham and Millwall, Armstrong found...
- former Wrexham, Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
and England B Team professional footballer, was brought up by his adoptive parents in the village after being born in Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. - Terry HennesseyTerry HennesseyWilliam Terrence "Terry" Hennessey is a Welsh former international footballer who gained 39 caps for Wales. He played as a defender and made 400 Football League appearances in the 1960s and 1970s with Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Derby County.After his playing career, he managed a number...
- former Welsh International professional footballer who played for Derby CountyDerby County F.C.Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in the 1970s. Now lives in AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. - Mark HughesMark HughesLeslie Mark Hughes, OBE , is a former Welsh international footballer. As an international footballer, he made 72 appearances and scored 16 goals....
- former Manchester CityManchester City F.C.Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
Manager and former Welsh International and Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
professional footballer, lived in the village until age four. - Steve O'ShaughnessySteve O'ShaughnessySteve O' Shaughnessy is a former Welsh professional footballer. He was last manager of Gap Connah's QuayO'Shaughnessy or "Shaughssa" as he is affectionately known was born in Wrexham and started his career as an apprentice at Leeds United, before moving onto Bradford City, where he made one League...
- former professional footballer who played for Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, RochdaleRochdale A.F.C.Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
and captained DarlingtonDarlington F.C.Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... - Dennis TaylorDennis TaylorDennis Taylor is a retired snooker player, and current BBC snooker commentator. Winner of two ranking events, he is best known for winning the 1985 World Championship, beating World number one Steve Davis on the final black in one of the sport's most memorable finals...
- 1985 World Snooker ChampionshipWorld Snooker ChampionshipThe World Snooker Championship is the leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points. The first championship was held in 1927; since 1977, it has been played at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, England...
winner and BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
snooker commentator.
External links
- Llay Community Directory Website
- Llay United Youth Football Club
- Llay Playgroup
- Park CP School Llay
- Llay Legion
- Miner's Welfare's history on their official site
- Llay Welfare Band
- Welsh Coal Mines website - check out the local pit's histories
- Llay Community Church Website
- St Martins Official Website
- photos of Llay and surrounding area on geograph
- Welsh Amateur Cup; Llay United and Llay Welfare